Welcome! This site highlights the employment successes of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. Through the use of innovative, front-line employment support practices, these individuals are earning money, forming networks, and contributing to their communities. Learn more about these people and the promising practices that led to their success. Here is a definition of Intellectual Disability.Here is a definition of Developmental Disability.Visit this page on the Institute for Community Inclusion website for stories about promising practices by state agencies.Scroll down this page for current featured stories, or use the menu at left to browse all stories by category.

Ryan has been interested in nature since he was a small child, and once asked only for plants for his birthday. He lives in Reno, Nevada, likes math and science, and describes himself as a positive person. With his teacher as his job coach, Ryan transitioned from high school into the perfect job.

Brian lives in Reno, NV. He has been employed since high school in jobs related to music or computers. Recently, Brian's family has supported him to develop and run a business that adds a useful service to a local music store.

Jeremy lives in Griffith, Indiana, and says he is always busy and trying to better himself. Since graduating from high school, he has held a 35- to 40-hour-a-week job at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, is completing his final semester towards a college degree in office administration, and is pursuing his passion to be a magician.

Izzy is 23 years old and lives with her family in Tampa, Florida. She loves swimming, working out, and baking. An internship at an assisted-living facility and related classes at the University of South Florida's Learning Academy helped her succeed later at her first paid job.

Ian lives on Oahu, Hawai'i, and enjoys movies, dance, and karate. He is employed as a courtesy clerk at Safeway. With the support and high expectations of his family, he was able to train for this job while still in high school, enabling a smooth transition into the kind of work he wanted.

Zachary lives in Hammond, Indiana and says he has been programming computers since he was eleven years old. For the last two and a half years, he has worked part-time for Alkon Consulting, a local web design studio. His boss met Zachary through his job developer, reviewed his work to see if he was ready to work in the web design field, and decided to hire him.

Francesca lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and works at the William Rowan Elementary School as a teacher's assistant. All her life, she has been interested in a career helping children. She began working in the school system as an AmeriCorps member, did very well, and was offered a paid job.